WHO’S ON AIR—SAVAGE OR BATCHELOR?

It doesn’t look like John Batchelor is going to be “on air” from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on WABC 770 AM in New York City for too much longer.

Parent company Cumulus has purchased conservative shock jock Michael Savage’s radio program and he is scheduled to take the 9 p.m. to midnight shift. Cumulus also recently purchased 94.7 WFME, its third in the New York market, so it is possible either Savage or Batchelor’s show will be moved to that station.

Savage’s firebrand conservatism has remained popular nationally for almost 15 years, regularly earning him Top 5 ratings. He claims to be the most listened to talk radio personality on the Internet. He recently won a legal battle to get out of his decade-old contract with Talk Radio Networks.

“The addition of Michael Savage is a milestone in our determined efforts to provide our listeners nationwide with the best programing in the business,” said John Dickey, co-COO of Cumulus.

“Cumulus and Savage will make radio history,” Savage said. “The turbulent times we live in give Talk radio a new power. This is the biggest move of my radio career and I look forward to reaching many millions of new listeners on their flamethrower signals.”

Batchelor is a conservative-leaning, eccentric intellectual who often focuses on historical issues and foreign policy while classical music plays in background. Savage’s weekly audience is estimated to be 8.5 million while Batcherlor’s is only around 1.5 million. It remains to be seen how moving to the 9 p.m. slot will affect Savage’s ratings.